'Wicce Sabbats'. |
The eight wicce or witches sabbats There are eight witches sabbats per year. They are based on seasonal changes and traditional harvest dates. 1 Winter Solstice - Yule 2 Imbolc 3 Ostara 4 Beltane 5 Summer Solstice 6 Lammas 7 Mabon 8 Halloween / Samhain Yule Northern Hemisphere: Dec 21 Southern Hemisphere: June 21 Winter Solstice, Saturnalia, Alban Arthan The holiday of Yule was celebrated long before Christians adopted the date. Many of the Christmas traditions we see today stem from old Pagan customs. As the solstice, it is the longest night of the year. From this day forward, light begins to return and we celebrate the rebirth of the Sun God. Traditions: lighting the Yule log, wreath making, gift giving Correspondences: pine, holly, myrrh, cinnamon, Imbolc Northern Hemisphere: Feb 2 Southern Hemisphere: August 1 Candlemas, Imbolg, Brigid's Day Imbolc is a day to celebrate the first glimpses of Spring, and it is also dedicated to the Celtic Goddess Brigid. Non-Pagans celebrate today as Groundhog Day. Make new starts in life, as you give your home a thorough cleaning. Traditions: Burning fires and candles, cleaning, making a bed for Brigid Correspondences: carnation, rosemary, chamomile, milk Ostara Northern Hemisphere: March 21 Southern Hemisphere:Sept 21 Spring Equinox, Lady Day This is another holiday that has been overlaid with Christian meanings (Easter). Eggs and bunnies are typical symbols, representing new birth and new life. Plant the seeds of long-term goals. Traditions: Colouring eggs, decorating with flowers Correspondences: jasmine, daffodil, lotus, new spring flowers Beltane Northern Hemisphere May 1 Sothern Hemisphere: November 1 May Day, Walpurgis Night The God born at Yule is now a man, and the sacred marriage between God and Goddess is consumated. Beltane is a celebration of fertility, growth, love and passion. However you celebrate Beltane, do it with joy and happiness. Traditions: Dancing around the May Pole, lighting bonfires Correspondences: Rose, lilac, vanilla Midsummer Northern Hemisphere: June 21 Southern Hemisphere December 21 Litha, Summer Solstice, Whitsun Midsummer is the longest day of the year, and the strength of the Sun God begins to wane. The Goddess has left her Maiden form of Imbolc and is now in her Mother aspect. Refill your herb collection for the coming year. Traditions: Fairy magick, collecting herbs Correspondences: Orange, lemon, honeysuckle, vervain Lammas Northern Hemisphere: August 1 Southern Hemisphere: Feb 1 Lughnasadh, As the first of the three harvest festivals, much of the symbolism for Lammas revolves around grains and bread. Sacrifices were common, though mostly symbolic, in order to ensure the continued success of the harvest. Traditions: Bread baking, making corn dollies Correspondences: corn, sandalwood, heather Mabon Northern Hemisphere: Sept 21 Southern Hemisphere: March 21 Autumn Equinox, Cornucopia Day and night are equal again, and the weather grows colder as winter approaches. This is the second harvest festival. Rituals of thanks at this time have brought about the modern holidays of Thanksgiving. Take some time to think about what you are thankful for. Traditions: Making and drinking of wine, share with the less fortunate Correspondences: grapes, blackberries, cedar, patchouli Samhain Northern Hemisphere: Oct 31 Southern Hemisphere: April 30 Hallowe'en, All Hallows Samhain (SOW-en) is the one Sabbat that is also widely celebrated amongst non-Pagans. The God has died, and the Goddess mourns him until his rebirth at Yule. It's the last harvest festival, and the end of the Wicce year. Traditions: Divination, honouring the dead, carving Jack o' Lanterns Correspondences: pumpkins, apples, sage, mugwort |